Garmin eTrex Vista Owner's manual

owner’s

manual

and

reference

guide

eTrex

Vista

TM

personal navigator

®

Except as expressly provided herein, no part of this manual may be reproduced,

copied, transmitted, disseminated, downloaded or stored in any storage medium, for

any purpose without the express prior written consent of GARMIN. GARMIN hereby

grants permission to download a single copy of this manual and of any revision to

this manual onto a hard drive or other electronic storage medium to be viewed and to

print one copy of this manual or of any revision hereto, provided that such electronic

or printed copy of this manual or revision must contain the complete text of this

copyright notice and provided further that any unauthorized commercial distribution

of this manual or any revision hereto is strictly prohibited.

Information in this document is subject to change without notice. GARMIN

reserves the right to change or improve its products and to make changes in the

content without obligation to notify any person or organization of such changes or

improvements.

GARMIN®, AutoLocate®, TracBack®, and Personal Navigator® are registered

trademarks, eTrex Vista™, and MapSource™ are trademarks of GARMIN Ltd. or its

subsidiaries and may not be used without the express permission of GARMIN.

April 2005 Part Number 190-00219-00 Rev. D Printed in Taiwan

Garmin (Europe) Ltd.

Unit 5, The Quadrangle, Abbey Park

Industrial Estate

Romsey SO51 9DL, U.K.

Telephone: 44/1794.519944

FAX: 44/1794.519222

Garmin Corporation

No. 68, Jangshu 2nd Road

Shijr, Taipei County, Taiwan

Telephone: 886/2.2642.9199

FAX: 886/2.2642.9099

Garmin International, Inc.

1200 East 151st Street

Olathe, KS 66062 U.S.A.

Telephone: 913/397.8200

FAX: 913/397.8282

i

Thank you for choosing the GARMIN eTrex Vista. To

get the most from your new eTrex Vista, take time to read

through this owner’s manual in order to understand all

of the operating features. This manual is organized into

three sections.

The Introduction section provides FCC, safety,

warranty, product registration information and the Table

of Contents.

The Main Pages section (listed in same order as

viewed on screen) provides details about using the fea-

tures of the eTrex Vista according to topic. The explana-

tions for each feature in this section are divided into:

(1) An overview that discusses the feature and how it

functions and (2) A detailed Step-by-Step instruction for

using the feature.

The Appendices include information on items such

as Speciﬁcations, Accessories, Data Field Deﬁni-

tions, MapSource information, a Troubleshooting

Guide and a Wiring Diagram followed by the Index.

About This

Manual

Introduction

ii

Introduction

FCC Compliance

Statement

The eTrex Vista complies with Part 15 of the FCC

interference limits for Class B digital devices FOR HOME

OR OFFICE USE. These limits are designed to provide

reasonable protection against harmful interference in

a residential installation, and are more stringent than

“outdoor” requirements.

Operation of this device is subject to the following

conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful inter-

ference, and (2) this device must accept any interference

received, including interference that may cause undesired

operation.

This equipment generates, uses and can radiate

radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in

accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful

interference to radio communications. However, there

is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a par

-

ticular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful

interference to radio or television reception, which can be

determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user

is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or

more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

• Increase the separation between the equipment and

receiver.

• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit

different from that to which the receiver is con

-

nected.

• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV tech

-

nician for help.

The eTrex Vista does not contain any user-service-

able parts. Repairs should only be made by an autho-

rized GARMIN service center. Unauthorized repairs or

modiﬁcations could result in permanent damage to the

equipment, and void your warranty and your authority to

operate this device under Part 15 regulations.

iii

Introduction

WARNING: For use in vehicles, it is the sole respon-

sibility of the owner/operator of the eTrex Vista to secure

the GPS unit so that it will not interfere with the vehicle’s

operating controls, obstruct the driver’s view of driving

conditions, or cause damage or personal injury in the

event of an accident. Do not mount the eTrex Vista over

air bag panels or in the ﬁeld of air bag deployment. Air

bags expand with a rapid force that can propel objects in

their path toward the driver or passengers causing pos-

sible injury. Refer to air bag safety precautions contained

in the vehicle owner’s manual. Do not mount the eTrex

Vista in a place where the driver or passengers are likely

to impact it in an accident or collision. The mounting

hardware provided by GARMIN is not warranted against

collision damage or the consequences thereof.

WARNING:

When used in vehicles, it is the sole

responsibility of the driver of the vehicle to operate the

vehicle in a safe manner, maintain full surveillance of all

driving conditions at all times, and not become dis-

tracted by the eTrex Vista to the exclusion of safe driving

practices. It is unsafe to operate the controls of the eTrex

Vista while you are driving. Failure by the driver of a

vehicle equipped with an eTrex Vista to pay full attention

to operation of the vehicle and road conditions while the

vehicle is in motion could result in an accident or colli-

sion with property damage and personal injury.

CAUTION: IT IS THE USER’S RESPONSIBILITY TO

USE THIS PRODUCT PRUDENTLY. THIS PRODUCT IS

INTENDED TO BE USED ONLY AS A TRAVEL AID AND

MUST NOT BE USED FOR ANY PURPOSE REQUIRING

PRECISE MEASUREMENT OF DIRECTION, DISTANCE,

LOCATION, OR TOPOGRAPHY. THIS PRODUCT

SHOULD NOT BE USED AS AN AID TO DETERMINE

GROUND PROXIMITY FOR AIRCRAFT NAVIGATION.

Do Not Place Unsecured

on the Vehicle Dash

Do Not Mount

Over Air Bag Panels

Do Not Mount in Front of

an Air Bag Field of

Deployment

Warnings

and

Precautions

Do Not Mount Where

Driver’s Field of Vision

is Blocked

WARNING: This

product, its packaging,

and its components

contain chemicals known

to the State of California

to cause cancer, birth

defects, or reproductive

harm. This Notice is

being provided in accor-

dance with California’s

Proposition 65. If you

have any questions or

would like additional

information, please

refer to our web site

at http://www.garmin.

com/prop65.

iv

Introduction

Warnings

and

Precautions

CAUTION: The Global Positioning System (GPS) is

operated by the government of the United States, which is

solely responsible for its accuracy and maintenance. The

system is subject to changes which could affect the accu-

racy and performance of all GPS equipment. Although

the eTrex Vista is a precision electronic NAVigation AID

(NAVAID), any NAVAID can be misused or misinter-

preted and, therefore, become unsafe.

MAP DATA INFORMATION:

One of the goals of

GARMIN is to provide customers with the most complete

and accurate cartography that is available to us at a

reasonable cost. We use a combination of governmental

and private data sources, which we identify as required

in product literature and copyright messages displayed to

the consumer. Virtually all data sources contain inaccu-

rate or incomplete data to some degree. This is particu-

larly true outside the United States, where complete and

accurate digital data is either not available or prohibitively

expensive.

Software License

Agreement

BY USING THE ETREX VISTA, YOU AGREE TO BE

BOUND BY THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE

FOLLOWING SOFTWARE LICENSE AGREEMENT.

PLEASE READ THIS AGREEMENT CAREFULLY.

GARMIN grants you a limited license to use the soft-

ware embedded in this device (the “Software”) in binary

executable form in the normal operation of the product.

Title, ownership rights and intellectual property rights in

and to the Software remain in GARMIN.

You acknowledge that the Software is the property

of GARMIN and is protected under the United States of

America copyright laws and international copyright trea-

ties. You further acknowledge that the structure, organiza-

tion and code of the Software are valuable trade

v

Introduction

Software License

Agreement

Maintenance

secrets of GARMIN and that the Software in source code

form remains a valuable trade secret of GARMIN. You

agree not to decompile, disassemble, modify, reverse

assemble, reverse engineer or reduce to human readable

form the Software or any part thereof or create any deriva-

tive works based on the Software. You agree not to export

or re-export the Software to any country in violation of

the export control laws of the United States of America.

Cleaning

The eTrex Vista is constructed of high quality materi-

als and does not require user maintenance other than

cleaning. Clean the unit using a cloth dampened with

a mild deteregent solution and then wipe dry. Avoid

chemical cleaners and solvents that may damage plastic

components.

Storage

Storing alkaline batteries in the unit is not recom-

mended. To reduce the chance for battery leakage, remove

the batteries when storing the unit for more than six

months.

Do not store the eTrex Vista where prolonged expo

-

sure to temperature extremes may occur (such as in the

trunk of a car) as permanent damage may result. User

information, such as waypoints, routes, etc., is retained in

the unit’s memory without the need for external power. It

is always a good practice to back up important user data

by recording it manually.

Water Immersion

The eTrex Vista is waterproof to IEC Standard 529

IPX7. It can withstand immersion in 1 meter of water for

30 minutes. Prolonged submersion can cause damage to

the unit. After submersion, be certain to remove the bat-

teries and dry the components before reuse.

vi

GARMIN

Limited Warranty

This GARMIN product is warranted to be free from defects in materials or work-

manship for one year from the date of purchase. Within this period, GARMIN will at

its sole option, repair or replace any components that fail in normal use. Such repairs

or replacement will be made at no charge to the customer for parts or labor, provided

that the customer shall be responsible for any transportation cost. This warranty does

not cover failures due to abuse, misuse, accident or unauthorized alteration or repairs.

THE WARRANTIES AND REMEDIES CONTAINED HEREIN ARE EXCLUSIVE

AND IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES EXPRESS OR IMPLIED OR STATU-

TORY, INCLUDING ANY LIABILITY ARISING UNDER ANY WARRANTY OF

MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, STATUTORY OR

OTHERWISE. THIS WARRANTY GIVES YOU SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS, WHICH

MAY VARY FROM STATE TO STATE.

IN NO EVENT SHALL GARMIN BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL,

INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, WHETHER RESULTING FROM THE

USE, MISUSE, OR INABILITY TO USE THIS PRODUCT OR FROM DEFECTS IN THE

PRODUCT. Some states do not allow the exclusion of incidental or consequential dam-

ages, so the above limitations may not apply to you.

GARMIN retains the exclusive right to repair or replace the unit or software or

offer a full refund of the purchase price at its sole discretion. SUCH REMEDY SHALL

BE YOUR SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY FOR ANY BREACH OF WARRANTY.

To obtain warranty service, contact your local GARMIN authorized dealer. Or call

GARMIN Customer Service at one of the numbers shown below, for shipping instruc-

tions and an RMA tracking number. The unit should be securely packed with the

tracking number clearly written on the outside of the package. The unit should then be

sent, freight charges prepaid, to any GARMIN warranty service station. A copy of the

original sales receipt is required as the proof of purchase for warranty repairs.

Introduction

vii

*

Serial Number:

Serial Number

Use this area to record the external serial number (8-digit number located inside

the battery compartment) in case it is lost, stolen, or needs service. Be sure to keep

your original sales receipt in a safe place or attach a photocopy to the inside of the

manual.

NOTE: Do not confuse this external serial number with the unit i.d.

number that is displayed in the System Setup Page. The internal serial

number is relevant to the operating software and is required only when

transferring certain types of GARMIN MapSource Data to your unit.

Product Registration

Help us to better support you by completing our on-line registration today!

Have the serial number of your eTrex Vista handy and connect to our website

(www.garmin.com). Look for the Product Registration link on the Home Page.

Introduction

Products sold through online auctions are not eligible for rebates or other special

offers from GARMIN. Online auction conﬁrmations are not accepted for warranty

veriﬁcation. To obtain warranty service, an original or copy of the sales receipt fromfrom

the original retailer is required. GARMIN will not replace missing components from any

package purchased through an online auction.

GARMIN

Limited Warranty

Garmin (Europe) Ltd.

Unit 5, The Quadrangle, Abbey Park Industrial Estate

Romsey SO51 9DL, U.K.

Telephone: 44/1794.519944

FAX: 44/1794.519222

Garmin International, Inc.

1200 East 151st Street

Olathe, KS 66062 U.S.A.

Telephone: 913/397.8200

FAX: 913/397.8282

viii

Options ......................................................27

Main Menu

The Main Page ...........................................28

Setting the Correct Time Zone ..............28

Using the Main Menu ...........................29

Mark Options .......................................30-32

Projecting a Waypoint ...........................32

Editing Waypoints ................................32

Find Options ........................................33-40

The Find Menu .....................................33

Finding a Waypoint ..............................34

Finding a Favorite ................................35

Finding a City .......................................35

Finding an Exit .....................................36

Finding a Point of Interest .....................37

Finding an Address or Intersection .......38

Using a Goto .........................................40

Routes Options .....................................41-46

Creating and Using A Route ..................41

Editing a Route ................................42-44

Add/Edit from the Route Map Page ..44-45

Navigating a Route ................................45

Data Fields for the Route Page ...............46

Tracks Options .....................................47-48

Setup Options ......................................49-53

Time Page .............................................49

Units Page .............................................50

Display Page .........................................51

Heading Page ........................................51

Interface Page ........................................52

System Page ..........................................53

Accessories ...........................................54-57

Sun and Moon ......................................54

Calendar Page .......................................55

Hunt and Fish Page ...............................56

Area Calculator Page .............................57

Calculator Page .....................................57

Appendices

Appendix A: Speciﬁcations .......................58

Appendix B: Accessories ...........................59

Appendix C: Data Field Deﬁnitions .....60-61

Appendix D: MapSource Setup .................62

Appendix E: Troubleshooting ...................63

Appendix F: Wiring Diagram ....................64

Index ...................................................65-71

Introduction

About This Manual .......................................i

FCC Compliance Statement .........................ii

Warnings and Precautions .......................ii-iv

Software License Agreement ....................iv-v

Maintenance ................................................v

Warranty ................................................vi-vii

Product Registation ....................................vii

Table of Contents .......................................vii

Getting Started

Setup, and Features .....................................1

Features and Button Function ......................2

Battery Installation .......................................3

Backlighting and Contrast ...........................3

The Main Pages

Main Page Basics ..........................................4

Satellite

The Main Page .............................................5

Options ....................................................6-7

Navigating

Navigating with eTrex Vista .........................8

Map

The Main Page ........................................9-10

Options ................................................11-15

Using the Pan Map Option ...................12

Stop Navigation ....................................13

Hide/Show Navigation Status ................13

Hide/Show Data Fields .........................13

Setup ....................................................14-15

The Measure Distance option ................15

Navigation

The Main Page ...........................................16

Options ................................................17-20

Altimeter

The Main Page ......................................21-22

Plot Over Time/Distance .......................22

Options ................................................23-25

View Pressure Plots/Elevation................23

Zoom Ranges ........................................23

View Points ...........................................24

Reset .....................................................24

Calibrate Altimeter ................................24

Data Fields ............................................25

Trip Computer

The Main Page ...........................................26

Table of Contents

1

Setup

and

Features

Before you begin to explore the eTrex Vista’s operat-

ing features, you should be familiar with the information

contained in the Quick Start which includes instructions

for installing batteries, how the buttons function, starting

the eTrex Vista, adjusting the screen contrast, and basic

navigation techniques to help you start enjoying your eTrex

Vista immediately.

Six Main Pages are your primary access to operating

the eTrex Vista. Each page provides either a basic naviga-

tion function or access to features which enhance naviga-

tion or customize the unit’s operation.

This manual is arranged on the Main Pages structure

with detailed instructions on using the eTrex Vista’s features

and their options.

Features include:

Storage for 500 Waypoints with name and graphic

symbol.

An automatic Track Log with storage capability for

3,000 points, or 10 saved Tracks with 250 points each.

Route building capability, with storage for 20 Routes

with 50 Waypoints each.

A Trip Computer for displaying a variety of navigation

data such as speed, ETA, ETE, heading, odometer, etc.

An Elevation Computer for displaying total ascent/

descent, average ascent/descent, maximum ascent/descent,

12 hour pressure trend, and maximum/minimum eleva-

tion.

A Find Feature for locating Waypoints, Cities,

Interstate Exits, Points of Interest, Street Addresses and

Intersections.*

24 MB of detailed map data storage, allowing transfer

from GARMIN MapSource CD-ROM’s.

Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) capability.**

Getting Started

* Points of Interest, Address,

and Intersection data must be

transferred to the unit using a

GARMIN MapSource CD-ROM.

See page 62 for more informa

-

tion.

** About WAAS

Because the Wide Area

Augmentation System (WAAS)

is currently under development

and is not fully supported by

geo-stationary satellites, effective

use of the WAAS feature may be

limited by your geographic loca-

tion in relation to those satellites

now in service.

There are two WAAS satellites

in service in geo-stationary orbit

above the Equator, one over the

Atlantic Ocean and one over the

Paciﬁc Ocean.

Currently, WAAS satellite signal

reception requires an absolute

clear view of the sky and works

best when there are no nearby

obstructions such as buildings,

mountains, etc. In fact, you may

not be able to receive or easily

maintain a WAAS satellite signal

until full satellite support for this

program is complete.

Not enabling WAAS when you

cannot receive a signal speeds

unit map drawing and conserves

battery power.

See pages 5 and 53 for enabling

WAAS and satellite reception

techniques.

2

Features and

Button

Function

The PAGE button:

• Press to cycle through main pages.

• Press and hold to turn the electronic compass On/Off.

The POWER button:

• Press and hold to turn the unit On/Off.

• Press to toggle display backlighting On/Off.

The THUMB STICK (Five Position Switch)

• Press to enter highlighted options and to

conﬁrm messages

• Move Up/Down or Right/Left to move

through lists, highlight ﬁelds, on-screen

buttons, icons, enter data or move the map

panning arrow

• Press and hold for two seconds to mark

your current location as a waypoint

Battery

Compartment

Cover

Internal Antenna

LCD

Display

Carry

Lanyard

Slot

Getting Started

NOTE: The eTrex Vista is designed to be held

and operated in the left hand, but it can be

held and operated using the right hand as

well to suit your preference.

The ZOOM IN/OUT buttons:

• When on the Map Page, press to

Zoom in and out.

• When on the Satellite Page, press

to adjust the screen contrast

The FIND button:

• Press to access the Find Menu

Power/Data

Connector Cover

External Power and Data Connector

with Alignment Bar

Pressure

Sensor

Vent

Compass Sighting

Marks

Installing the lanyard

3

Installing the Batteries

The eTrex Vista operates on two “AA” batteries (not

included), which are located in the back of the unit.

Rechargeable Alkaline, NiMH, NiCad or Lithium batteries

may also be used.

Battery Cover

D-ring

Battery Compartment

Important Note:

When replacing batteries, use

only new or fully recharged

batteries and do not mix

Alkaline, NiMH, NiCad or

Lithium batteries.

Rechargeable batteries may

typically display less capacity

than Alkaline batteries.

Remove the batteries from the

unit if you don’t plan to use it

for several months.

Follow the battery manufactur-

er’s instructions for proper care

and disposal of used batteries.

When using ‘Battery Saver’ or

‘Use With GPS Off’ mode when

not navigating, Alkaline batter-

ies can last up to 12 hours.

Battery

Installation and

Backlight/Contrast

Getting Started

To install batteries:

1. Remove the battery cover on

the back of the unit. Turn the

D-ring 1/4 turn counter-clock

-

wise & pull away clockwise.

2. Insert batteries

observing the

polarity.

3. Reinstall the

battery cover

by turning the

D-ring 1/4

turn.

Stored data is not lost when

the batteries are removed.

Press & Release POWER

Button to turn Backlighting

On/Off

Display Backlighting and Contrast Set Up

If lighting conditions make it hard for you to see the

display screen, you can adjust the contrast or turn on the

backlight.

To turn on the backlighting:

1. Press the POWER button to turn on the backlight

from any page on the unit. The backlight remains

on until the set timeout period is completed or the

POWER button is pressed again.

The unit is factory set to timeout 15 seconds after

the last button press. (To reset the backlight time

-

out, refer to page 51.)

To adjust the screen contrast:

1. When on the Satelllie Page, use the ZOOM IN or

OUT buttons to adjust the contrast.

Use ZOOM IN & OUT

Buttons to Adjust Contrast

4

Getting Started

Main Page Basics

All of the information you need to operate the eTrex Vista can be found on six main

pages (or display screens). You can press and release the PAGE button to cycle through

the Satellite Page, Map Page, Navigation Page, Altimeter Page, Trip Computer, and Main

Menu Page.

While these six pages provide you with different types of navigation information,

they all share common features like Option Menus and a Main Page Menu, both of

which are accessed by on-screen buttons. To display these menus, highlight the on-

screen button and press in on the

THUMB STICK.

Option Menu Button

Main Page Menu

Button

Main Page Menu

Use to go directly to a Main

Page and as an alternate to

cycling through the Main

Pages.

Double click the on-screen

button to toggle between

two pages.

Option Menu

These menus provide addi

-

tional features or customize

the unit to your preferences.

To exit these and other

pop-up type menus, move the

THUMB STICK to the left

or right.

Satellite Page

Map Page Navigation Page Trip Computer

Main Menu

Altimeter Page

5

Satellite

The Main Page

Satellite Page

with 9 Satellites Being

Tracked and WAAS Enabled.

WAAS Satellite is No. 35

and ‘D’ in Signal Bars for

GPS Satellites

Center (Satellite

overhead)

Status Window

Your location

coordinates

Signal Strength bars

On-Screen

Page and Option

Menu Buttons

Outer Ring

(Satellites on the

horizon)

Inner Ring (Satel-

lites within 45°

angle from vertical)

The Satellite Page provides a picture of satellite signal tracking, tells you when the

unit is ready for navigation, and shows your location coordinates.

The Skyview graphic represents a view looking up at the sky from your current

location showing satellites and their assigned numbers. The outer ring represents the

horizon around you, the inner ring represents a view above you at a 45° angle from ver-

tical, and the center represents directly overhead. Signal Strength Bars for each satellite

are shown just below the Skyview. Satellites and their signals appear as hollow shapes

until a signal is received and then they appear darkened in. The stronger the signal, the

taller the signal bar.

The Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) capability produces a more accurate

position ﬁx. When enabled (the GPS mode set to ‘Normal’ and the interface set to other

than RTCM mode), this feature searches for a WAAS satellite near your location and

then receives data for correcting differentials in the GPS satellite signals and the WAAS

satellite numbers (beginning at No. 33 or above) display on the Satellite Page. When

differential correction data has been received for GPS satellites (numbers 32 or below), a

‘D’ displays in the signal bar beneath the skyview. It is helpful to orient the unit antenna

toward the WAAS satellite shown in the skyview. To learn more about the WAAS

System, access the Federal Aviation Administration web site (http.//gps.faa.gov/).

6

Satellite

Because the eTrex Vista relies on satellite signals to

provide you with navigational guidance, the unit’s view

of the sky determines how fast you achieve navigational

status. GPS signals do not travel through rocks, buildings,

people, metal, or heavy tree cover so for best results, keep

the unit in clear view of the sky.

At least three satellite signals are needed to determine

your location, otherwise the unit displays a “Poor Satellite

Reception” message with four options and a brief expla-

nation to guide your decision:

Use with GPS Off - Select this option if you want

GPS off (for faster map drawing).

New Location - Select this option if you have moved

hundreds of miles (from where you last used the

unit).

Restart Search - Select this option if today is not

(date provided).

Continue Acquiring - Select this option if no other

option applies. (The unit will attempt to gather GPS

signals.)

The Satellite Page options include:

Use With GPS Off - Use this option when you are

indoors, a clear view of the sky is obstructed, or you

want to save battery power. You can enter data, create

routes, etc., but cannot navigate in this mode.

Track Up/North Up - You can orient the satellite

skyview by selecting ‘Track Up’ (your direction of

travel) or ‘North Up’ (the satellite skyview oriented to

the north).

New Location - If you are more than 600 miles from

where you last used the unit, select the ‘New Loca-

tion’ and then the ‘Use Map’ options to approximate

your location. This gives the unit reference informa-

tion and speeds satellite acquisition.

Show GPS Elevation - The elevation as determined

by the GPS information received.

There are four options for

the “Poor Satellite Reception”

message.

Options

Satellite Page Options Menu

Highlight the on-screen button

at the top of the page & press

in on the THUMB STICK.

7

To select the ‘Use With GPS Off’ option:

1. Use the THUMB STICK to highlight the Option

Menu button at the top of the page and then press

it in to display the Options Menu.

2. Use the

THUMB STICK to highlight the ‘Use With

GPS Off’ option and then press it in to activate.

The eTrex Vista stops tracking satellites and should

not be used for navigation. However, the next time

you turn the unit on, it returns to Normal GPS

operation.

To select ‘Track Up’ or ‘North Up’:

1. Use the THUMB STICK to highlight the Option

Menu button at the top of the page and then press

it in to display the Options Menu.

2. Highlight either the ‘Track Up’ or ‘North Up’ option

(depending on which is currently in use), and press

in on the THUMB STICK to activate.

To enter a new location:

1. Use the THUMB STICK to highlight the Option

Menu button at the top of the page and then press

it in to display the Options Menu.

2. Highlight ‘New Location’ and press in on the

THUMB STICK to display choices of ‘Auto’ or ‘Use

Map’.

If you choose ‘Auto’ the eTrex Vista determines your

new location automatically.

If you choose ‘Use Map’ a map page displays with

instructions stating, “Point to your approximate

location and press ENTER”. Use the

THUMB STICK

to move the map pointer to your location on the

map and press it in.

To select ‘Show GPS Elevation’:

1. Use the THUMB STICK to highlight the Option

Menu button at the top of the page and then press

it in to display the Options Menu.

2. Use the

THUMB STICK to highlight the ‘Show GPS

Elevation’ option, and press in to view the elevation

based on GPS information.

Satellite

The Satellite Page

Options Menu

‘North Up’ Skyview Orientation

“GPS Off”

Message

‘Use Map’ option helps to speed

acquisition.

Options

8

Navigating

Active Navigation is supported by three of the six

Main Pages: the Map Page, Navigation Page and Trip

Computer Page.

The Map Page graphically shows you map details,

your current location, marks your route to a destination

with a route line, and leaves a trail (track log) of where

you’ve been.

The Navigation Page tells you what direction to go

and the direction you are traveling.

The Trip Computer Page records and displays travel

data, such as the distance you have traveled, your speed,

the time spent moving or stopped, and other options can

be chosen to display the elevation, the time of day or the

time remaining before reaching a destination.

There are four methods of navigating when using the

eTrex Vista and each is graphically displayed on the Map

Page.

Goto - A direct path to a selected destination

(waypoint, city, address, etc.).

Track - A previous path of travel that has been stored

(logged) in the eTrex Vista. A Track allows you to

repeat a path or to return to your starting point on

the same path using the GARMIN TracBack feature.

Route - A path to a destination consisting of interme-

diate stops along the way (waypoints, cities, highway

exits, points of interest, intersections, etc.).

Travel when not on a Goto, Track or Route -

This is best described as travel without entering a

destination in the eTrex Vista. The Map Page displays

your real-time movement as you travel with the unit

turned on and receiving satellites.

A Route

A Track

A Goto

Travel when not on a Goto,

Track, or Route as indicated

by the ‘Pointer Icon’ and a

dotted line indicating your

path of travel.

Navigating with

eTrex Vista

9

The Map Page displays your present position and direction of movement using a

triangular ‘Position Icon’ that is centered on the map. As you travel the map display

leaves a “trail” (track log) of your movements.

The map also displays geographic details such as rivers, lakes, highways, and towns.

The map shown above displays a higher level of detail than the basemap provided with

the unit (i.e. residential streets, parks, etc.), because GARMIN MapSource data has been

downloaded to the unit using a CD-ROM mapping program.

To allow you to view the map from different perspectives, the scale can be changed

from 120 feet to 500 miles. The

ZOOM IN and OUT buttons on the side of the unit

allow you to zoom In or Out on the map. Pressing and holding these buttons causes the

scale to change rapidly instead of changing in increments. The IN button displays less

area but more map detail, while the OUT button shows you a larger area with less map

detail.

A Status Window at the top of the page provides you with current satellite tracking

and position accuracy information.

Map

Position Icon

Status Window

Map Scale

Map Features

On-Screen

Page and Option

Menu Buttons

The Main Page

10

Map

The Map Page

The Map Page shows your present position and direc-

tion of movement as a triangular ‘Position Icon’, in the

center of the map. As you travel, the map display leaves a

“trail” (track log) of where you’ve been. The map display

also shows the map scale and geographic details such as

lakes, rivers, highways, and towns.

Use the ZOOM IN and OUT buttons to change

the map scale in order to show more map area with less

detail or less map area with more detail. Press and hold

to ZOOM the map scale rapidly. The map scale in the

lower left hand side of the display is shown in units of

measurement selected in the ‘Units’ ﬁeld of the Unit Setup

Page (not to be confused with the Map Setup Page). If

you zoom in so far that the resolution of the map data

is exceeded and the appearance of the map is no longer

accurate, the word, “overzoom” displays just below the

map scale.

In many instances the map displays an ‘Accuracy

Circle’ surrounding the ‘Position Icon’. The eTrex Vista

uses both map resolution and GPS accuracy in deﬁning

your location to a point within the circle. The smaller the

circle, the more accurate your location.

When using the ‘Pan Map’ feature, a small outline

arrow (Map Pointer) can be moved about the page to

highlight and identify map items or to scroll the map to

view areas not shown on the display screen.

A Status Field at the top of the page provides satellite

tracking and location accuracy information.

Two optional

Data ﬁelds at the bottom of the page

can be programmed to provide a variety of travel and

navigation information.

More detailed map features as well as information

about those features can be downloaded to the unit from

a GARMIN MapSource CD-ROM. When using MapSource

data, the word ‘mapsource’ displays below the map scale

whenever you zoom in to view map details.

Map Features

Accuracy Circle

Panning Arrow

(Map Pointer)

The Main Page

Zoom In

Zoom Out

Map Scales

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